1. AERIAL OF CANADAIR DROPPING WATER / SMOKE RISING FROM THE AREA

2. VARIOUS AERIALS OF SMOKE RISING FROM WILDFIRES

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Firefighters battled a large wildfire on Italy’s Gargano peninsula on Sunday (July 26), forcing the evacuation of hundreds of tourists and closing roads between the coastal towns of Peschici and Vieste, local authorities and Italian media reported.

The blaze began near Pile Fraballe, outside Peschici, and spread through Mediterranean scrub and Aleppo pine woodland towards the Manaccora and Zaiana bay areas, fanned by strong winds.

Around 400 tourists and beachgoers were evacuated, with some taken by Coast Guard and Finance Police boats to Vieste, while others left by bus or car. Evacuees were being housed in two school gyms in Vieste.

Fire crews, regional civil protection teams and aircraft, including two Canadair water bombers, were deployed to contain the flames. No casualties were reported.

The municipality of Peschici opened an elementary school on Via Montesanto as a reception centre for people displaced by the blaze.

Peschici’s mayor said the fire may have been started deliberately at several points, though investigators had not confirmed the cause.

Officials urged residents and visitors to avoid affected areas and follow emergency instructions, as conditions remained extremely difficult.